Lennon likely to miss out

04 November 2009 04:42

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// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Aaron Lennon is not expected to be back in time for Tottenham's clash with Sunderland on Saturday.

The 22-year-old winger missed the North London derby after suffering an ankle injury against Stoke the week before.

Spurs have pencilled Lennon in for a return after the international break, meaning that his availability for England's friendly against Brazil could also fall into doubt.

Fellow injured party Luka Modric has provided more positive news for Harry Redknapp after recently returning to light training.

The club have not yet set a date for Modric's return to first-team action as the Croatia midfielder is still considered a long-term absentee.

SufferingStriker Jermain Defoe is in line to make a return against Sunderland after serving out a three-game suspension for his red card against Portsmouth.

Redknapp believes his side have suffered greatly from the absence of Lennon, Modric and Defoe.

He said: "They are three of my best players. Modric is a world-class player in my opinion. Lennon is a threat when he has the ball and goes at people.

"Defoe has been in incredible form this year. Suddenly we miss him for three games. It's cost us dearly when he got sent off at Portsmouth."

Central defender Sebastien Bassong has also been ruled out of the Sunderland clash with a hamstring problem.

Jonathan Woodgate is set to make a return to the starting line-up after being forced off with a head injury in the defeat against Stoke.

"He has been pretty unlucky against Stoke to take a bang. He'll be back in contention," Spurs assistant boss Joe Jordan said on Sky Sports News.